Tack button



E. D. JANES TACK BUTTON June 1, 1948.

Filed Dec. 22, 1944 INVENTOR M m D d n m d E.

Sum m 5 5 ATTORN EY Patented June 1,

STATES PATENT OFFICE TACK BUTTON Edmund D. Janes, Waterbury, Conn, assignor to Scovill Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application December 22, 1944, Serial No. 569,661

This invention relates to fastening devices generally referred to as tack buttons. More particularly, the invention deals with devices of this kind employing a more or less standard construction in the blank of the button body, adapting the button body to the attachment of different types of headsin forming closed and open heads on the resulting button, and further in adapting said body for the reception of tack engaging members of different constructions and retained against displacement from the button body by suitably shaping the shank portion of said body. Still more particularly, the invention relates to the use of tack coupling members having wall portions extending longitudinally of the walls of the button shank to minimize the turning or heading of the pointed end of a tack and also in insuring a more positive and firm mounting of the button in connection with a support. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through one form of button which I employ illustrating the same secured to a support by attachment of a tack.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the button prior to attachment of a tack therewith.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing an open head on the button.

Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive are views similar to Fig. 2, showing other forms of construction; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view through the body portion of a button, showing another modification.

With buttons of the type under consideration, there have been difficulties experienced in firmly securing the buttons to supports and in maintaining proper alinement of the buttons on the supports. These difficulties have been largely due to the necessity of excessively turning over or heading the tack to securely attach the button to the support, which has brought about distortion of the button on the support and also resulted in a looseness in mounting due to displacement or shifting of the button parts.

These objectionable features I have overcome by providing relatively long tack engaging members or sleeves which may also be termed anvils, which minimize the amount of turning over or heading of the tack in securing the button to the tack and the support. Further by pre-fixing and positively retaining these members or coupling 16 Claims.

sleeves in the button body, a positive and nonshifting attachment of the button to the support is provided. A relatively large base or end is provided on the button shank between which and the button head the support is adapted to be clamped in such manner asto form a better alinement of the button and tack one with respect to the other, and thus a proper mounting on the support. Still further, the coupling member or sleeve is reinforced to withstand the pressure applied to the tack end in turning or heading the same, and in this connection, the member or sleeve has substantially perpendicular wall portions which parallel the axis of the tack, thus further aiding in maintaining the alinement of the parts in attachment to a support.

Another distinctive feature of my invention resides in the use of what might be termed a button body blank formed to the point of attachment of the tack engaging member or sleeve, which will be universally adaptable for the reception of members or sleeves of difierent contour as well as to adapt thebutton for attachment of closed or open heads. Further, the size of the shank may be standardized to fit the coupling or fastener devices adapted to engage the button.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, I have shown one form of button comprising a body part It, consisting of a tubular shank portion ll, one end of which terminates in an outwardly extending integral annular flange or head l2 forming part of the head of the resulting button. The flange has an outwardly turned rim [3 adapted to be engaged by an inwardly turned rim l4 on the button top or cover [5. The top or cover i5 is in the form of a closed disc, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, and between the top [5 and the flange I2 is arranged a filler or anvil plate I6.

The other end of the shank H has an inwardly extending and slightly annular flange I! which forms the bottom wall of the button and this wall has a central opening [8 to freely receive the prong [9 of a tack 20. .The head 2| of the tack 2B is of a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the bottom wall I! of the shank H, or in other words, the diameter of said shank. It will thus be seen that in securing the button to a support 22, a gripping engagement is established between the large diameter of the head 2| and the button shank.

Arranged within the shank H is a tack engaging or coupling member or sleeve 23 or the tubular portion thereof. The sleeve 23 extends a substantial length of the shank so as to dispose the inturned upper or flanged end 2 of the sleeve adjacent the plate IS. The flange 24 forms a reduced opening 25 in the inner end of the sleeve through which the pronged end of the tack 20 is adapted to pass in the operation of turning or heading this end, as seen at 26 in securing the button in position on the support 22. w

The lower end of the sleeve 23 has an outwardly extending and slightly conical annular flange 2? which is adapted to seat upon the inner surface of the wall l1. In assembling the parts it and 23, prior to attachment of the plate l and cap IE to the part it, the shank will have a straight perpendicular wall which will facilitate free insertion of the part-23into the shank portion ll of the part it. Atter; bein inserted into position, the wall of the shanl zjl is forced inwardly to provide an annular bead or indenture 2B closely adjacent the flange 21 to overlap said flange and securely support it upon the wall [1. In this .way, the sleeve,23 becomes securely fixed in the button body H]. In addition to securing the sleeve 23 in position, the circumferential indenture or inwardly formed bead 28 also provides a-means reinforcing and strengthening the shank portion ll. After the sleeve 23 has-been secured in position, the resulting button blankisprovided, and to this blank may be attached any type or kind of cap construction, suohasthe cap I15. of Fig. 1, or a cap such as later described in connection with Fig. 3, could also be employed. This is also desirable from the standpoint of applying finishing capsof different design and contour suitable to the tastes of the customer to whom the buttons are supplied. Itwill here also be apparent that the flnishingcaps may be composed of metal or plastic materials to further give design as well as color to the resultingbutton.

In Fig, 3 of the drawing; isshown a slight modification, andas theparts l;ll and;2 3. are identical to the corresponding parts shown'inFigs, 1 and 2, like references.willrepresentlike partsin Fig. 3. In this figural havesubstituted for the cap 15, a cap 29 which has an inturned rim portion 30 fitting the rim l;3 ,of the flange L2. The cap'29 is in the formof a ring likev body, and the bore of this-body has aninturnedannular hub portion-3| whichforms a-largeopening 32, substantially of the same diameter as the-bore of the shank H. vThisprocluces what is commonly referred. to as an open head button, which facilitates turning or heading the endof-the prong33 of a tack 34 in the mannerindicated at 35. The tack ;33 includes ,aheadtfi which is also substantially of the same diameter as the diameter of the bottom wall;l1 of the button body or the shank H thereof,

In Fig. 4 is shown at 13'! another form of button employing a body 38 substantially of the same general form asthevbody Ill, particularly when in its blank contourv and prior to attachment of the couplingmember,orsleeve 39 therewith. The primary differencein the structure shown in Fig, 4, from that shown in Figs. 1 and 3, is in the form of the .sleeve 39 and themanner of securing the sleeve in position in the button body. The sleeve terminates at its upper or inner end in .an inturned reinforcing flange. defining a restricted openingAl vat said end-of the sleeve, similarto the opening .25. The other end of the sleeve .has an outwardly ..extending flange 42 which seats upon the .intumed .and

inturned rim l5, and thus securely supports the sleeve 39 in the button body and retains the same against displacement therefrom.

In Fig. 5 of the drawing is shown a slight modification of the structure shown in Fig. 4, and as the button body 38 is substantially identical to that shown inFi-g. 4, like references will designatelike parts in Fig. 5. In Fig, 5, the member or sleeve a? is employed having an upper or inner-inturned flange =38, similar to the flange 49, forming a restricted opening 49; The sleeve 4? also includes an outwardly extendingannular bottom flange 53, similar to theflange-fl, but instead of including upwardly and inwardly turned rinis, such as therim 4.4, the sleeve 4! simply has an upwardly extending annular rim 5!.

In Fig. 6 of the drawing is shown another adaptation of myinvention in which a button body 52 is employed which differszfrom the button body 38 primarily in the location of theinward indentures or beads 53, the latter being shown in closer proximity to the bottom Wall. 54 and illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 so as to engage the bottom flange 55 of a coupling member or sleeve St, the flange 55 being similar to the dance H. In this connection it will be understood that the sleeve 55' may be securedin positionWith an annular indenture or bead such as the bead 28, ifdesired, and in like manner, the localized beads or indentures, such as 53 can be employed in the structure asshownin Figsrl and Z. The sleeve 55 differs from the sleeve; 23 by having at the upper or inner endthereof an outwardly extending annular flangeil, .theperiphery of which is arranged in closeproximity to the bore 58 of the shank 5d, thus supporting and reinforcing the upper inner end of the sleeve against displacement within the shank inthe operation of turning or heading the pronged end of the tack. The flangegfil 'joinsthe body portion of the sleeve 56 in an inwardly extending circumferential roundedbead portion 6!! which forms a restricted opening 6! atthe inner end of the sleeve 55: similar tothe Opening 25.

In Fig. '7 is shown another form of construction in which the button body 52is identicalwith the body Shown in Fig. 2, thus-like references will indicate likeparts in Fig. 7. In the lattergfigure, a coupling sleeve 62 is employed, which differs from the sleeve 56 in providing ,an outward annular-bulge in the centralportion of the sleeve, which will provide at upper and'lower ends..of the bore, restricted openingstii ,and fifl and .Said ends of the sleeves include outwardlwextending annular flanges 65 and '56, both of which are slightly conical in form so as to adapt the sleeve 52'for mountinginthe button body with either end downward to seat uponthe conical bottom wall 5a. This will simplify assemblage of the parts. In this connection, it will beapparent that the restricted openings. and :64 will beof like diameter andsufiiciently largeto clear the prongof the tack employed, particularly at thegreatest diameter thereof adjacent thehead of the tack, as willbe apparent from a consideration of the tack illustration in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing. With the construction of Fig. 7, it will be apparent that the flanges 65 and 66, which is uppermost or innermost, such as the flange 65 shown in said figure, will also operate similar to the flange 51 in maintaining the sleeve 62 against tilting movement in the button body.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a button body 61, again generally of the structure shown in the other figures, but the body is shown before attachment of the cap thereto. The structure of Fig. 8 difiers from the teachings in the other figures primarily in setting the wall portion or shank 68 of the button body inwardly after arrangement of the member or sleeve 69 upon the annular and substantially conical bottom wall portion 10 of the body 61. In setting the wall 68 inwardly, the lower end portion of this wall is beaded or curled around the outwardly extending annular flange ll of the sleeve 69, as seen at 12. While the sleeve 69 is of the same general appearance as the sleeve 23, this sleeve may be made of a larger size so that in the final reduction of the shank 68, this shank may be of the same diameter as the shanks shown in the other figures, or of a smaller diameter, particularly when the button is adapted for uses where smaller diameters would be desirable. The upper or inner end of the sleeve 69 has the inturned flange 13 which forms the restricted opening 14 for the reception of the prong of the tack or similar fastener.

In the several forms of construction shown, the sleeves for their inner or upper ends terminate adjacent but inwardly of the flanged head portions of the button bodies, thus adapting all of the button bodies for attachment of caps of the type and kind shown in Fig. 1, for example, as well as those of the kind shown in Fig. 3. It will also be apparent that while attaching members in the form of tacks are illustrated and referred to, any type or kind of attaching members can be employed.

In all of the constructions shown, it will be apparent that the shank of the button includes substantially long wall portions which are parallel to the axis of the button, and the tack engaging member or sleeve includes wall portions which for the most part are also parallel to the axis and spaced from the wall portion of the button shank. These sleeves also include at their inner ends means reinforcing and strengthening the sleeves and at the same time providing restricted openings therein to maintain a close proximity to the prong of the tack, thus maintaining the prong in centralized position within the button body, and further providing a surface upon which the pointed end of the tack prong can be turned or headed. Still further, it will be apparent that by providing long tack engaging sleeves, the extent of turning or heading of the tack is minimized and at the same time, a secure and positive coupling of the parts is maintained.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure as Letters Patent is:

1. A tack button comprising a tubular body having an outwardly extending annular head at the upper end, an inwardly extending annular wall at the lower end, a sleeve arranged within said body, said sleeve having an annular flange at its lower end extending outwardly beyond the diameter limits of said sleeve and adapted to seat upon the wall at the lower end of said body, means formed from the material of said tubular body'engagi'ng the flange of said sleeve for securing the sleeve against displacement from said body, and the upper end of said sleeve being flanged and terminating inwardly of the upper head end of said body.

2. A tack button comprising a tubular body having an outwardly extending annular head at the upper end, an inwardly extending annular 'wall at the lower end, a sleeve arranged within said body, said sleeve having an annular flange at its lower end extending outwardly beyond the diameter limits of said sleeve and adapted to seat upon the wall at the lower end of said body, means formed from the material of said tubular body engaging the flange of said sleeve for securing the sleeve against displacement from said body, the upper end of said sleeve being flanged and terminating inwardly of the upper head end of said body, and the upper end of said sleeve having a restricted opening.

3. A tack button comprising a tubular body having an outwardly extending annular head at the upper end, an inwardly extending annular wall at the lower end, a sleeve arranged within said body, said sleeve having an annular flange at its lower end extending outwardly beyond the diameter limits of said sleeve and adapted to seat upon the wall at the lower end of said body, means formed from the material of said tubular body engaging the flange of said sleeve for securing the sleeve against displacement from said body, the upper end of said sleeve being flanged and terminating inwardly of the upper head end of said body, the upper end of said sleeve having a restricted opening, and the flange at the upper end of said sleeve extending inwardly in forming said restricted opening.

4. A tack button comprising a tubular body having an outwardly extending annular head at the upper end, an inwardly extending annular wall at the lower end, a sleeve arranged within said body, said sleeve having an annular flange.

at its lower end extending outwardly beyond the diameter limits of said sleeve and adapted to seat upon the wall at the lower end of said body, means formed from the material of said tubular body engaging the flange of said sleeve for securing the sleeve against displacement from said body, the upper end of said sleeve being flanged means formed from the material of said tubular body engaging the flange of saidsleeve for securing the sleeve against displacement from said body, the upper end of said sleeve terminating adjacent but inwardly of the head end of said body, and said end of the sleeve having radially extending means arranged in close proximity to the wall of said tubular body.

6. A tack button comprising a tubular body having an outwardly extending annular head at the upper end, an inwardly extending annular wall at the lower end, a sleeve arranged within said body, said sleeve having an annular flange at its lower end extending outwardly beyond the comprising a sleeve, upper and lower ends of the sleeve being flanged, the flange at the upper end of the sleeve forming a restricted opening at said end thereof, and the flange at the lower end of the sleeve extending outwardly and being substantially conical in form.

16. In buttons of the class described comprising a button body part and an independent attaching member engaging part, said member engaging part being adapted to be secured in said body and comprising a sleeve, upper and lower ends of the sleeve being flanged, the flange at the upper end of the sleeve forming a. restricted opening at said end thereof, the flange at the lower end of the sleeve extending outwardly and 15 2,179,522

being substantially conical in form, and said last named flange having an ofiset rim portion.

EDMUND D. JANES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 631,378 Neubert Aug. 22, 1899 1,324,085 White Dec. 9, 1919 2,067,222 Wolff Jan. 12, 1937 Purinton Nov. 14, 1939 

